Thoreau's Civil Disobedience: What Inspires You?

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Matt Dombrowski Dombrowski 1 Mrs. Floyd English 1113 January 18, 2011 What Inspires You? Many readers such as Martin Luther King and Gandhi have been inspired by Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience, where Thoreau recounts his night spent in jail for tax evasion, and he tells the audience how his life was changed from the experience. Thoreau did not trust the Government with his money because he did not know what the Government planned to use the money for. He much preferred to pay the taxes or donate money to the projects that he himself thought worthy of his hard earned money. Thoreau used images such as the walls of the jail, the window in his cell, and the change that he went through during his night spent in jail to inspire his readers to live their lives freely and how they want to. The walls of the jail that Thoreau spent the night in inspired him to see how they seemed to be symbolic of how the Government only wants to lock people up physically, but not mentally. He quotes, “I stood considering the walls of solid stone, two or three feet thick, the door of wood and iron, a foot thick, and the iron grating which strained the light, I could not help being struck with the foolishness of the institution which treated me as if I…show more content…
Other readers might find Thoreau’s use of pathos is more effective in getting his point of freedom across than his use of images. However, his imagery has many meanings that are stronger than his portrayal of a single pathos. Thoreau’s use of imagery in Civil Disobedience such as the prison wall, cell window, and the changes he experienced was to help inspire the reader to fight for their freedoms. These images inspire many to stand up for what they believe in to be right and moral. We all should follow Thoreau’s example and fight for our

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